Former City Councilman Mufi Hannemann says he is "very seriously" considering a run for Congress and will announce his decision Tuesday. Hannemann ‘very seriously’
looking at run for Congress
By Crystal Kua
ckua@starbulletin.comThat is the last day candidates can file to run for the special election filling the remaining month of the late U.S. Rep. Patsy Mink's term.
"We're looking at it very seriously because the issue is who has the experience in Washington, D.C., that can hit the ground running," said Hannemann, who unsuccessfully ran twice for Congress, once for the 2nd Congressional District seat against Mink in 1990.
Mink was in the midst of running for re-election when she died Sept. 28 following a monthlong battle with pneumonia brought on by chickenpox.
Mink's name will remain on the Nov. 5 general election ballot. If she garners the most votes in that election, a vacancy will be declared, and a special election will be held Jan. 4 for the new two-year term.
Hannemann, whose Washington experience includes being a White House Fellow under Vice President George Bush in 1983, said he is considering a run for both the Nov. 30 special election for the remainder of Mink's term, as well as the possible Jan. 4 special election.
Four more people, including state Rep. Bob McDermott, have filed to run in the Nov. 30 election, bringing the candidate total to 31.
McDermott is the Republican nominee for the seat in the general election.
A couple of factors could prevent Hannemann from his congressional bid.
Hannemann was running for mayor but changed his political plans after Mayor Jeremy Harris announced that he would not run for governor and would remain at Honolulu Hale.
Hannemann then announced he was committed to running for Honolulu mayor when the seat became available and was not interested in seeking other political office.
"One of the things that some of my supporters would like for me to do is to continue to (run for) the mayor of Honolulu, so that's the other big thing," Hannemann said. "We had not planned on this (congressional vacancy) happening. It's been such a crazy year."
Hannemann also said he would not run if members of Mink's family decided to run in the race.
